NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Audi A3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Audi A3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 43 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Audi A3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Audi A3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Audi A3, describing incidents dated June 1, 2008 to November 23, 2019.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 24 complaints
Power Train 13 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Of the 43 complaints on file, 2 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11286439 · Filed December 2, 2019
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE. MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THE CODE P0171 THAT READS AS THE DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH MY CAR AS MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PCV VALVE. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND…
ODI #11223096 · Filed June 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED NOTICE IN JANUARY OF 2019 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING A SECOND RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP; I COULD NOT GET THROUGH. I THEN CONTACTED AUDI CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY LEFT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIOP MESSAGES ON…
ODI #11223094 · Filed June 28, 2019
EXCESSIVE REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION THAT ISN'T BEING COVERED BY A 12 YEAR ANTI-CORROSION WARRANTY. THE SAFETY ISSUE STEMS FROM; A, A PROPER ALIGNMENT ISN'T POSSIBLE, B THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE REAR GEOMETRY OF THE VEHICLE, WHEELS, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION.

Read all 43 complaints

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #18V082000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 30, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 162,782 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69R6 · Owners notified February 23, 2018 · Vehicles built May 30, 2005 – August 30, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V079000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 151,767 vehicles

Repair completion: 40.4% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 10, 2017 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE

NHTSA #09V377000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported September 30, 2009 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 10,200 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 20Q3/J3 · Owners notified November 16, 2009 · Vehicles built September 29, 2005 – July 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Safety consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 20Q3/J3.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2008 Audi A3 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

43 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Audi A3.

Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11286439

Incident: November 23, 2019 · Filed: December 2, 2019

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE. MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THE CODE P0171 THAT READS AS THE DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH MY CAR AS MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PCV VALVE. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND NONE. YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A RECALL REPORTED 09/30/2009 ON MY TYPE OF CAR UNDER CAMPAIGN 09V377000 BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING AS AFFECTED BY THAT CAMPAIGN EVEN THOUGH THE CODE THAT IS COMING UP IS A SIMILAR ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING MY CAR NOW. I CAN'T NOT REPAIR WHAT I CAN NOT DIAGNOSE. I BELIEVE THAT I AM AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11223096

Incident: January 7, 2019 · Filed: June 28, 2019

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED NOTICE IN JANUARY OF 2019 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING A SECOND RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP; I COULD NOT GET THROUGH. I THEN CONTACTED AUDI CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY LEFT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIOP MESSAGES ON MY BEHALF; AGAIN NO RESPONSE. AFTER CALLING MULTIPLE OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN MY STATE, ONE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM ME ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY MESSAGES. IT TOOK UNTIL JUNE TO GET THIS RECALL COMPLETED. NEITHER AUDI USA NOR IT'S LOCAL DEALERS SEEM TO CARE ABOUT PERFORMING A SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Structure

ODI #11223094

Incident: June 10, 2019 · Filed: June 28, 2019

EXCESSIVE REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION THAT ISN'T BEING COVERED BY A 12 YEAR ANTI-CORROSION WARRANTY. THE SAFETY ISSUE STEMS FROM; A, A PROPER ALIGNMENT ISN'T POSSIBLE, B THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE REAR GEOMETRY OF THE VEHICLE, WHEELS, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION.

Air Bags

ODI #11151819

Incident: October 8, 2018 · Filed: November 15, 2018

HI, I HAVE BEEN GETTING EMAILS FROM AUDI USA ABOUT N AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY AUDI A3 BUT EVERYTIME I CALL MY AUDI DEALERSHIP IN SANTA MONICA, CA THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE AT THE STORE TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, I TOLD THEM TO CALL WHEN THEY HAVE IT AND IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE IT. I BOUGHT MY CAR THERE AND I GUESS THEIR COSTUMER SAFETY IS NOT IMPORTANT WHEN THEY HAVE TO DO IT FOR FREE. PLEASE HELP.

Air Bags

ODI #11140073

Incident: October 12, 2018 · Filed: October 12, 2018

I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES, MONTH AFTER MONTH, FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I HAD THE INTERIM REPAIR DONE, AND HAVE CALLED NOW AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. NOW I GET A NOTICE THAT SAYS TO REPAIR IMMEDIATELY EVEN IF AN INTERIM REPAIR WAS RECENTLY DONE. HOW DO I GET THIS DONE? I KEEP CALLING AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE YET. MY SON IS DRIVING THIS CAR NOW IN SPRINGFIELD, IL AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT HIS SAFETY.

Air Bags

ODI #11139984

Incident: October 10, 2017 · Filed: October 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI ROANOKE (LOCATED AT 2006 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24017, (540) 562-0099), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags

ODI #11111481

Incident: July 15, 2018 · Filed: July 15, 2018

TAKATA RECALL I AM STILL RECEIVING NOTICES BY MAIL BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG. HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WAIT WITHOUT PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER. THANK YOU

Air Bags

ODI #11044485

Incident: March 18, 2017 · Filed: November 8, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" ON MARCH 18, 2017, I WENT IN TO AUDI CALABASAS AND SPOKE WITH SCOTT GOMEZ, SERVICE ADVISOR, AND THE MANAGER ON DUTY THAT DAY, TO INQUIRE ON HAVING MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPLACE IN RESPONSE TO THE MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL ISSUED. HIS RESPONSE WAS TO TRY BACK LATER. HE SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT FOR ANY BAGS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. HE DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. I SAID I WAS AFRAID OF THE DANGER OF IT GOING OFF IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER AND HE SAID THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF AUDI VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SUCH MAL-FUNCTIONS. I ASKED IF HE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIABILITY SHOULD ONE SUCH ACCIDENT OCCUR INVOLVING THE RECALLED AIRBAG. HIS RESPONSE WAS CHILLING. HE SAID IT WOULD NOT BE AUDI'S FAULT. IT WOULD BE THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIRBAG'S LIABILITY.

Air Bags

ODI #11019453

Incident: February 1, 2016 · Filed: August 24, 2017

TAKATA AIRBAG- I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG THAT IS EXACTLY THE AIRBAG THAT HAS PROBLEMS. MY FIRST LETTER WAS FEB. 2016 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FULLY RESOLVED AT THIS TIME AUG.24, 2017. I WANT A NEW AIRBAG THAT WILL SAVE MY LIFE, NOT TAKE IT ASAP!

Air Bags

ODI #10967390

Incident: March 3, 2017 · Filed: March 20, 2017

TAKATA RECALL DEAR SIR / MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT WHY IT IS TAKING OVER 4 MONTHS TO HAVE THE NEW PARTS DELIVERED TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER IN SAN FRANCISCO CA. THE RECALL 16V079 SEEMS PRETTY SERIOUS AS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THIS DEFECT. I HAVE CALLED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY UPDATES OR DATE. THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN ASSIST OR WHAT I CAN DO TO ACCELERATE THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU.

Other Audi A3 model years

Check your 2008 Audi A3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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